Steve has been pastor of Village Parkway Baptist Church of San Antonio for over 16 years. He has been a pastor in Texas for over 30 years. He is an adjunct professor for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary here in San Antonio.

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Fulness of Time

One of the great truths of scripture is that God has a perfect time and plan for the entire world. The prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.”

This statement is seen clearly in the timing found in the Bible.

Adam to Noah – 10 generations

Noah to Abraham – 10 generations

Abraham to David – 14 generations

David to Deportation – 14 generations

Deportation to birth of Messiah – 14 generations

While God is unfolding the perfect plan and timing of the coming of Jesus Christ, he is also unfolding the promise to Daniel (Daniel 9 – 70 weeks). For the work of Jesus Christ on the cross was accomplished in the exact time that was given to Daniel nearly 500 years earlier.

While God was perfectly unfolding his perfect plan for the generations and Daniel’s 70 weeks, he also on schedule moved the heart of Caesar Augustus to have a census of the entire world. And a little girl named Mary, had to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem for the census. She arrived in Bethlehem just in time for the birth of Jesus, which was the fulfillment of promise given to Micah several centuries before.

While these three events were unfolding, the Lord had moved the hearts of the wise men to journey to find this king that was being born. They arrived in Bethlehem right on schedule for Jesus to have to move to Egypt as a young child.

God always works out his plan and his timing is always perfect in his work. Paul in writing to church at Galatia says, “in the fulness of time, God sent forth His Son . . . so that he might redeem us.”

God’s plan has always been to give us life eternal through Jesus Christ. The word “redeemed” means a price has to be payed for us. The price is the death of Jesus because of the sinfulness of our heart. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price of our selfishness ambitions and empty conceit. Our sin’s can only be forgiven through the death of Jesus. There is no other way to Paradise but through faith in the work of Jesus Christ.

God accomplished this in his timing according to his plan.

All who have faith in Jesus are now a part of the family of God. We now have the privilege to call God “our Father”. And we are heirs according to promise of God’s word. We have a purpose and a hope as we live out our lives each day.

All this happened in the fulness of time. You can trust the Father in heaven who perfectly worked out His plan to also perfectly work out his plan in your life. He is never late in providing for you. If he perfectly took care of the sinfulness of your heart, will he not also perfectly take care of every other problem you face in life.